Tender to support the Wormley & Turnford Big Local (WTBL) Partnership

into the viability of investing in the Wormley Community Centre

Background
Wormley & Turnford is a ward in the borough of Broxbourne in Hertfordshire with a
population of approximately 10,500. It has been awarded funding from the BIG Lottery as
part of the Big Local programme. WTBL is led by a partnership of local residents. They have
consulted with the local community about their visions and priorities for the future.
Evidence from a variety of sources, including widespread community consultation has been
put together into a Community Plan, identifying the areas main objectives and resources.
The Community Plan sets out how the community will invest the funding to achieve the
changes it wants to see over the next 10 years.

The partnership is committed to delivering the outcomes of the big local programme, which
are as follows:
Communities will be able to identify local needs and take action in response to them.
People will have increased skills and confidence so that they can continue to identify
and respond to local needs in the future.
The community will make a difference to the needs it prioritises.
People will feel that their area is a better place to live.

The vision of WTBL is To transform Wormley and Turnford into a place where people are
proud to live, that nurtures aspirations, opportunities and a strong sustainable community.

Wormley Community Centre

The Wormley Community Centre, currently owed by the Borough of Broxbourne, is in
Fairfield Drive, Wormley, Hertfordshire, England, EN10 6DX.

The area under consideration comprises a large hall with kitchen, bar area, toilet facilities
and storage space. Attached to this is a unit currently leased to a rehabilitation charity,
which contains 4 x offices/meeting rooms with a small kitchen and toilet.

A grocery store which serves the local estate is adjacent to the community hall and the
tenants of the shop act as the caretakers to the hall.

A concrete yard at the rear of the community hall and two green areas to the front and side
of the building also form part of the Community Centre land.
Current position with Wormley Community Centre
WTBL have identified a key flagship priority to develop a community hub to deliver a range
of activities and services for the local community and have identified Wormley Community
Centre as an appropriate building.

The future of all community halls within the Borough of Broxbourne is currently under
discussion within the Council. WTBL believe that the Council want to cut back on the
provision of such spaces. One of these spaces at the centre of the WTBL area is the Wormley
Community Centre.

At a recent cabinet meeting on the 10th of January 2017, the following recommendation was
passed; Wormley Community Centre be sold and the contractual arrangements be
delegated to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Chief Executive and the cabinet
member for finance and the cabinet member for leisure and culture.

Independently of this, local residents led by WTBL have nominated and have had the
Community Centre listed as an Asset of Community Value from the 2nd February 2017.

The WTBL Partnership have also met the Chief Executive of Broxbourne Council to formally
express an interest in acquiring the Community Centre.

Project Requirement (to begin by 1st April 2017 and completed by 26th May 2017)
Produce a feasibility study on behalf of the WTBL Partnership that will secure funding from
the Local Trust and the support of the local community:

The feasibility study will:

Gather evidence to establish the extent of the local communities desire to retain the
Community Centre rather than support a new housing scheme on the current site.

Determine the condition of the building and capital maintenance requirements (this
to be achieved in conjunction with a valuation and building survey organised
separately by the WTBL Partnership).

Report on the current financial viability of the Community Centre including all
income and expenditure in relation to managing the building.

Detail actual and potential restrictions in respect of any existing and future
tenancies, planning conditions, leases, licencing, activities in the building and its
external environment/space.

Establish potential demand from local organisations and individuals to use the
centre.

Identify potential future usage of the Community Centre that will meet local needs
and enhance income streams to ensure the building is financially sustainable.

Identify options with appraisals for managing the building

 Feedback any aspirations of local residents ascertained through this research
process, that will enhance the aims of WTBL

Your approach must involve the WTBL Partnership in discussion and decision-making and
provide regular feedback by agreement in advance with the appointed WTBL working group.

Budget
Your proposals should indicate your budget for this task and your final figure should include
VAT, if applicable. Any non-operating costs can be indicated separately for funding by WTBL.

Selection Criteria
The successful applicant will demonstrate:

Experience of engagement with communities.

Experience with community buildings and spaces.
Ability to produce feasibility studies.
Proven ability to work on own initiative and to tight deadlines
Ability to complete the task by 26th May 2017.
Good writing and presentation skills, with accessible style of communication
Good interpersonal facilitation and engagement skills
Financial capability
Ideally a knowledge of the geographical area

Timescales

Tender circulated to interested and recommended 24th February 2017

individuals.

Closing date for proposals 13th March 2017

Partnership group consider applications for short listing

and issue invites to interview.

Interviews held (daytime and possibly by skype) By 20th March 2017

Consultant starts work From 1st April 2017

Final Report presented to Wormley & Turnford Big By 26th May 2017
Local Partnership
How to Apply
The tender application process is to be administrated by the CVS for Broxbourne and East
Herts . CVSBEH operate as the Local Trusted Organisation (LTO) for Wormley and Turnford
Big Local. However, all appointment decisions are made by the Resident-led Partnership.
Please send your finished proposal along with any attachments, by email to:
info@wtbiglocal.org.uk by 13th March 2017
If you have questions relating to the information included in this Tender document or wish
to discuss anything further, please call either:
Jacqueline Grattan (WTBL Vice-Chair) 07714 202879
Peter Cassell (WTBL Partnership Member) 07778 843411